# Zest Group

> Zest Group is an Italian listed investment and innovation company formed in 2024 by merging Digital Magics into LVenture Group. It backs early-stage technology startups, runs accelerators, supports corporate innovation and operates workspace and event services, connecting founders with investors and industrial partners.

- **Founded:** 2024
- **Headquarters:** Rome, Italy
- **Founders:** Luigi Capello (Founder of predecessor LVenture Group; Zest CEO at launch, board member after July 2026), Alberto Fioravanti (Co-founder of predecessor Digital Magics; Zest CTO), Gabriele Ronchini (Co-founder of predecessor Digital Magics; CEO of Zest Investments)
- **Products:** Zest Investments, Zest Innovation, Scouting Ticket, Magic Mind, Magic Spectrum
- **Notable:** Merger took legal effect on 1 April 2024; Zest is listed on Euronext Milan., Reported three 2024 exits with an average 13.4x multiple in its June 2025 presentation; this is an exit subset, not the whole portfolio return., 2024 portfolio companies raised €87.5 million, versus €4 million invested by Zest, according to its June 2025 presentation.

## Products & services

- **Zest Investments** — Pre-seed and seed investing, portfolio support and startup acceleration.
- **Zest Innovation** — Corporate venturing, transformation and employee empowerment, innovation governance and ecosystem development.
- **Scouting Ticket** — Approximately eight weeks of early validation support; advertised €35,000 package including €10,000+ cash. An investment, with terms disclosed during selection.
- **Magic Mind** — AI accelerator developed with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo; industrial and technical partner network.
- **Magic Spectrum** — ICT, IoT and 5G accelerator in CDP Venture Capital’s National Accelerators Network.
- **Zero, Fin+Tech, HabiSmart and Argo** — Sector programs covering cleantech, financial and insurance technology, proptech and travel technology; cohort status varies.
- **The Hub** — Workspace and event activities including Zest’s Rome Termini hub.
- **Z_One** — Eureka!-managed early-stage AI Applications and UrbanTech fund; Zest is sponsor, advisor and investor. €55 million fundraising target, up to 100 investments planned.

## Achievements

- Merger took legal effect on 1 April 2024; Zest is listed on Euronext Milan.
- Reported three 2024 exits with an average 13.4x multiple in its June 2025 presentation; this is an exit subset, not the whole portfolio return.
- 2024 portfolio companies raised €87.5 million, versus €4 million invested by Zest, according to its June 2025 presentation.
- First-half 2026 exit cash receipts were approximately €1.4 million.
- Magic Spectrum’s third-edition announcement reported 20 startups and over €6.5 million raised across three years.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — 28 September: half-year results report €4.075 million revenue and other income, €863,000 operating EBITDA loss and €1.824 million net loss; over 229 active startups, about €48 million portfolio fair value.
- **2026-09** — 25 September: Zest’s news page announces Tiledesk’s €1.1 million funding round.
- **2026-07** — 16 July: Z_One launched with a €55 million target and €5 million Zest commitment; Marco Gay became CEO and Marco Giovannini non-executive chairman.
- **2026-04** — 7 April: Synapsi disclosed a €110,000 Magic Mind package combining cash investment and acceleration services, with cash via a convertible instrument at €1.8 million pre-money valuation.

## Links

- Website: https://zestgroup.vc/en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zest-vc
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Digital_Magics
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zestgroupvc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZestGroupVC

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/zest-group
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08